3121 RV fridge issue - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

Texan · 05-11-2019, 11:49 PM

My fridge seems to cool better on propane. If you start out on propane for 24 hours then switch to electric you might see a difference.

Mroe · 05-12-2019, 09:34 AM

So it’s been over 24 hours and it’s at 40. Granted that’s better than 50. In my last RV if set at maximum it would come down to 33, but it was a Dometic brand. It’s level, evap and condenser fans are all working. Why would they say it “worked” for them? We are taking a cooler with us on Monday for our couple day camping trip. If it continues to be an issue not sure who to call. Norcold, or Keystone.

Ram Montana High Country · 05-13-2019, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mroe

So it’s been over 24 hours and it’s at 40. Granted that’s better than 50. In my last RV if set at maximum it would come down to 33, but it was a Dometic brand. It’s level, evap and condenser fans are all working. Why would they say it “worked” for them? We are taking a cooler with us on Monday for our couple day camping trip. If it continues to be an issue not sure who to call. Norcold, or Keystone.

Their idea of work - it's in the trailer …

Mroe · 05-13-2019, 11:17 AM

So we get up this morning after starting the fridge on Friday, and now Monday it’s at 30 degrees. So I set it to 7 and loaded our pre-cooled food. We head out at noon for a two days trip.

Mroe · 05-15-2019, 03:23 PM

Got up fridge at 37, been at campsite for two days now fridge working fine. Just can’t believe it takes 3 days to cool an empty fridge. Yet keeping cold now.

Mroe · 09-13-2019, 06:57 AM

On a long trip across country. Started fridge 2 days before trip. Took forever to get to 45, stayed there. 100 plus here in phoenix. Inside and outside fans working. Outside fans on through thermister due to high heat. Air shaft is clear, no obstruction.
Now in Ohio, still at 45. Tested inside fridge thermister, appeared ok, placement is good too per Norcold. Not sure what else to check or do. May try a mobile repair company once we’re home. Any other suggestions.

Ram Montana High Country · 09-13-2019, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mroe

Got up fridge at 37, been at campsite for two days now fridge working fine. Just can’t believe it takes 3 days to cool an empty fridge. Yet keeping cold now.

I've always found mine cools quicker if I put a case of room temperature water split between fridge and freezer. I think someone told me RV fridges take heat out better than cool down - since i started putting in the water, it works better.

beeje · 09-13-2019, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mroe

On a long trip across country. Started fridge 2 days before trip. Took forever to get to 45, stayed there. 100 plus here in phoenix. Inside and outside fans working. Outside fans on through thermister due to high heat. Air shaft is clear, no obstruction.
Now in Ohio, still at 45. Tested inside fridge thermister, appeared ok, placement is good too per Norcold. Not sure what else to check or do. May try a mobile repair company once we’re home. Any other suggestions.

Mroe, RV fridges are an animal of there own. They take WAY WAY WAY longer to cool down and recover from the doors being open (6 hours +). I find myself constantly telling the DW she can not open the doors to peer inside for minutes deciding what she wants to get out like she does at home. For the most part you should already know what you want and know where it is before you open the doors.

I also am making some headway with telling her that if it is not already cold (for the fridge) of frozen (for the freezer) do NOT put it in there.

IMHO RV fridges are not meant to cool down or freeze anything. There are meant to keep it cold or frozen.

Imagine how long it would take to chill off your warm 30 pack of beer or freeze the 5 pound chicken you just bought. The beer and or chicken is actually going to warm up the fridge/freezer.

Mroe · 06-27-2020, 07:12 AM

Finally solved fridge problem. Bought and installed the Fridge Defender . I'm sure it does what it says when you are unlevel, but the biggest add on was the part of the kit that added to additional cooling fans on the outside to keep the condenser section cool, Especially since I live in Arizona. Since it has been installed, it has stayed at temp with out any problems.

mazboy · 06-27-2020, 11:00 AM

Mroe, did anyone mention that you actually have a 3120rl and not the 3121rl since you have a RV refrigerator?

Mroe · 06-27-2020, 03:19 PM

Sorry, you are correct

Mroe · 09-14-2020, 10:33 PM

Guess I spoke to soon. It's in the triple digits here in AZ and my freezer is fine, but fridge won't get below 50 after 3 days running. Went up to Greer where it was cooler and the fridge worked fine and got really cold. But I am seriously thinking about putting a regular fridge in place of the RV fridge. I would like it to work in hot climates. I do have a 2000 watt inverter and two 12 volt batteries and a solar panel on the roof. I just don't know what kind of fridge to get. I've heard that you have to take the doors off to even get in in the RV. Sounds like quite a task.

RMcNeal · 09-15-2020, 05:14 AM

Take a look at this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBwS...ature=youtu.be

.
You may need to get better air flow behind unit.

Mroe · 09-15-2020, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the tip and the video. Been through all that though, got good air flow, as I added the Fridge Defender with the extra fans. Though that would do the trick, but it didn't. Talked with other Arizona campers with RV fridges, theirs do not do well when we're in the triple digits either. I just think it's the nature of the beast. In cooler climates, it works okay. Trying to decide if I want to spend the money to install a domestic type unit and deal with the headaches of trying to figure out if my solar and batteries need to be expanded to keep up with the load overnight then have the ability to recharge the batteries when the sun comes up.

prndl · 09-15-2020, 09:28 AM

A simple battery operated fan in the refer will keep you at temp.
If the floor of the freezer is Cold/freezing the unit is working. You need a small fan to circulate the air in the lower section past the fins to remove the heat. Relying on convection will not do it especially if the refer section is packed solid. The Fridge Defender does nothing for the inside of the refer it only protects from overheating the external coils.
Remember, heat flows.
One like this will do just fine:
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Fridge-.../dp/B01E5SNB5I

Mroe · 09-15-2020, 09:50 AM

My fridge has built in inside and outside fans the issue is to much ambient heat

Montana Man · 09-15-2020, 10:02 AM

Check those door seals too. Good sealing helps with cooling and cuts down on condensation.

CWB · 03-21-2021, 04:13 PM

Hi there. We bought a 2021 3121RL and so far I have not gotten the ice maker to work. Any tips you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

RMcNeal · 03-21-2021, 08:14 PM

The water feed has 2 valves that are likely turned off. On most rigs, one is under the sink off the cold water side (blue pex) and the other is to the left of fridge in the bottom cabinet. You'll most likely have to remove the back panel in the cabinet to find it.

R.S.O'Donnell · 03-22-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

The water feed has 2 valves that are likely turned off. On most rigs, one is under the sink off the cold water side (blue pex) and the other is to the left of fridge in the bottom cabinet. You'll most likely have to remove the back panel in the cabinet to find it.

That was ours exactly. Both were turned off.

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